Flashback: How Dreams Became Reality

The Copperdollar Studios are different from the vast majority of spaces available for professionals to rent. They are open 7 days a week, from 8 in the morning to 10 at night. There are no regular slots booked so you can block book for as long as you need without having to worry about the space being taken up on certain days. You are welcome to leave your equipment there for the whole of the duration of your booking, be that over night or for a couple of weeks.

After finding out about how Kt Simpson, the owner of the studios, transformed the building, we thought it was necessary to ask why she decided to buy the space and create such a distinctive venue in the first place.

As a performer, artistic director and founder of Immersive Performance Company, Copperdollar, Kt was tired of having to deal with limiting studio hire for rehearsals. Organising a large group of people to meet is often a complicated task in itself, nevermind finding an appropriate location with affordable rates. Most, if not all, studios require you to remove all of your belongings from the venue at the end of the day and to fit your timings around existing classes. Kt’s dream was to have a place for her company to get together, plan their shows, build their props and get to work. She soon realised that it wasn’t just her who required a different kind of space and vowed to solve the problem that her and people like her faced.

Once she had discovered the ideal location and began the refurbishments, she noticed how unique the space was. Through her upcycling, she was able to preserve a huge amount of the existing furniture and, thanks to its high quality, use it to add to the character of the building. Upon finishing the renovations in the studios, it became undoubtedly clear that the location was perfect for photographers and videographers, too. The shabby chic aesthetic and varying textures of walls and props mean that the Copperdollar Studios are extremely versatile.

In the 2 years that the studios have been open, there has been a huge array of people come through the doors from theatre groups, to business owners doing product shoots, to workshop leaders, to filmmakers, to make-up schools, to TV companies, to brainstormers. The list is endless and so is the potential for more Copperdollar Studio users.

The originality of the studios is what makes them stand out and their benefits are what makes them loved by the people who use them. And, did you know that students and non-profit organisations are offered at 50% discount?

If you or someone you know is looking for a studio to rent in the Brighton area then look no further.